Bus riders return to school with protocols in place to curb virus spread

La Conner Schools is back on the road to in-person instruction.

The proof is in the familiar yellow buses that have begun picking up and delivering students along a half-dozen routes in the school district.

The buses began rolling Feb. 1 as students in lower grades returned to campus under a plan that will see older students gradually phased into La Conner Elementary by the end of the month.

The sight of school buses with flashing lights on La Conner area roads is fairly common, but the COVID-19 pandemic has made necessary an even greater focus on safety than has previously been the case with...